LordOfLeather
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 170
- Location
- Michigan
In 2019 I bought a new Schott P613S in color 8 CXL steerhide. I put this jacket through the ringer and it became everything I wanted it to be, checking off all the desirable boxes we talk about here. The leather broke in, developing creases, patina and character galore. But most importantly, it shaped to my body with perfection. The jacket is mine, through and through.
Last fall I was caught in a heavy downpour while traveling on the bike and after several hours in the rain, the jacket was soaked through. I eventually rode out of the rain, into a clear, sunny sky, for another two hours before arriving home, so the jacket had time to thoroughly dry while wearing it in the riding position.
Because I was layered up more than usual with a thick hoodie underneath, it reshaped to my size and position with the extra layers. This resulted in it stretching significantly wider, especially the pit-to-pit, but also losing over an inch in body length. Since then, I’ve only worn it a few times, because it’s just not comfortable anymore. Appearance wise, it’s not very noticeable, but I FEEL the difference. The high-cut armholes used to be perfectly tucked in my armpits, where I want them, but now it’s too wide. The belt used to synch down just under my meager stomach roll, holding the jacket in place. Now the belt tightens an inch or so higher, above my beltline, which is uncomfortable and makes the jacket rise up with movement in a way it didn’t before. I also have to fasten it another notch tighter than before, due to the stretching.
Additionally, the extra space in the torso makes it inflate like a balloon while riding, which just sucks. It does fit nicely with that same hoodie underneath, but there are very limited times when I’d choose to ride with that particular layering combination.
Needless to say, this is very frustrating and more than a little disappointing. Since I have other jackets, I find myself avoiding this one because it’s not as comfortable. But I love this jacket. It’s my only CXL jacket, only burgundy jacket, and I’ve worked so hard to bring the leather to its current state of characterful appeal. It also has sentimental value, as it’s been my jacket of choice to travel with. I’ve had so many experiences and made so many memories in this jacket.
I attempted to stretch the body length back out by hanging it, wet, with weights tied around the bottom hem with rope. To no avail.
Have any of you had similar experiences with jackets stretching wider and also shorter?
Have you found a solution?
Should I just continue to wear it and hope it reshapes to me again? Just accept it as is? Sell it and move on with my life?
Is there hope for it shrinking down again after stretching? I don’t want to attempt a shrink in the torso that might lead to it becoming even shorter.
I’m open to any advice, suggestions, or commiseration. If nothing else, it will help me to share the experience with this group who can relate.
Thanks for reading.
Last fall I was caught in a heavy downpour while traveling on the bike and after several hours in the rain, the jacket was soaked through. I eventually rode out of the rain, into a clear, sunny sky, for another two hours before arriving home, so the jacket had time to thoroughly dry while wearing it in the riding position.
Because I was layered up more than usual with a thick hoodie underneath, it reshaped to my size and position with the extra layers. This resulted in it stretching significantly wider, especially the pit-to-pit, but also losing over an inch in body length. Since then, I’ve only worn it a few times, because it’s just not comfortable anymore. Appearance wise, it’s not very noticeable, but I FEEL the difference. The high-cut armholes used to be perfectly tucked in my armpits, where I want them, but now it’s too wide. The belt used to synch down just under my meager stomach roll, holding the jacket in place. Now the belt tightens an inch or so higher, above my beltline, which is uncomfortable and makes the jacket rise up with movement in a way it didn’t before. I also have to fasten it another notch tighter than before, due to the stretching.
Additionally, the extra space in the torso makes it inflate like a balloon while riding, which just sucks. It does fit nicely with that same hoodie underneath, but there are very limited times when I’d choose to ride with that particular layering combination.
Needless to say, this is very frustrating and more than a little disappointing. Since I have other jackets, I find myself avoiding this one because it’s not as comfortable. But I love this jacket. It’s my only CXL jacket, only burgundy jacket, and I’ve worked so hard to bring the leather to its current state of characterful appeal. It also has sentimental value, as it’s been my jacket of choice to travel with. I’ve had so many experiences and made so many memories in this jacket.
I attempted to stretch the body length back out by hanging it, wet, with weights tied around the bottom hem with rope. To no avail.
Have any of you had similar experiences with jackets stretching wider and also shorter?
Have you found a solution?
Should I just continue to wear it and hope it reshapes to me again? Just accept it as is? Sell it and move on with my life?
Is there hope for it shrinking down again after stretching? I don’t want to attempt a shrink in the torso that might lead to it becoming even shorter.
I’m open to any advice, suggestions, or commiseration. If nothing else, it will help me to share the experience with this group who can relate.
Thanks for reading.